The Pakistan vs Sri Lanka ODI series in 2017 featured some notable performances and records. Here’s a summary of the highlights from the series:
Batting Highlights:
- Babar Azam’s Consistency: Babar Azam emerged as the most successful batsman in the series, scoring 303 runs in 4 innings, including two centuries and a fifty. He maintained an average of 101 and a strike rate of 75, striking 17 fours.
- Shoaib Malik’s Contribution: Shoaib Malik scored 161 runs in 4 innings with an impressive average of 80.5 and a strike rate of 102.54. He hit two fifties and had the highest number of sixes in the series.
- Imam-ul-Haq’s Debut Century: Imam-ul-Haq made an impactful debut by scoring 147 runs in three innings, including a century. He averaged 73.50 with a strike rate of 76.56.
- Tharanga and Thirimanne’s Performances: Upul Tharanga was the most successful Sri Lankan batsman, scoring 199 runs with an average of 49.75. Lahiru Thirimanne was the second highest run-scorer for Sri Lanka with 174 runs and an average of 34.80.
Bowling Highlights:
- Hasan Ali’s Brilliance: Hasan Ali was the standout bowler, taking 14 wickets in the series, with an average of 11.28 and a strike rate of 18.4. He had an economy rate of 3.67 and had a best bowling figure of 5/34.
- Shadab Khan’s Spin Magic: Pakistan’s young spinner Shadab Khan was the second highest wicket-taker with 10 wickets. He averaged 16.30 with a strike rate of 23.4.
- Gamage’s Performance: Suranga Lakmal (PLS Gamage) was Sri Lanka’s leading wicket-taker, claiming 7 wickets with an average of 24.00 and a strike rate of 25.7.
- Economy and Strike Rate: Imad Wasim had the best economy rate in an innings (1.85), while Usman Khan had the best strike rate in an innings (8.4).
- Dismissals by Sarfraz Ahmed: Sarfraz Ahmed made the most dismissals in the series by taking 10 catches in 5 matches, with his best figure in a match being 4 catches.
Records Set:
- Babar Azam’s Century Streak: Babar Azam scored his 7th ODI century in the 2nd ODI of the series. He achieved this feat in just 33 innings, making him the 7th fastest to reach 7 centuries. He also became the first player to score five consecutive centuries in a single country (UAE).
- Hasan Ali’s 50 Wickets: Hasan Ali completed 50 wickets in ODI cricket in only 24 matches, making him the top Pakistani bowler to reach this milestone and the fourth fastest in the world.
- Babar Azam’s High Average: Babar Azam’s ODI average of 57.20 is the second-highest in the world, only behind Netherlands’ Ryan ten Doeschate.
These performances and records made the series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in 2017 quite memorable, with notable contributions from both teams.
